What would you do? Soloshot response

[madams747]

Finally heard from Soloshot (my efforts to contact customer service began mid-December). The camera is not broken, it just fails to connect to the robotic part (can’t remember what it’s called) which seems like a software or firmware problem. I was told in December that they could tell me how to repair it myself - this didn’t happen. Then in January, I was told to send it in and that the repair was simple and would only cost $30 + shipping, but they never sent an RGA. Then I received this a few days ago:

Hi Monica,
We can repair your camera connect issue, you would have to send it in. It will go through the testing process in the order it was received. Are tech team is working hard to make repairs and send them out to customers as soon as we can. But just know if the camera is non repairable you would have to purchase a new camera. But we offer discounts for long time customers, original price is $449 with the discount it would be $200 for a 25x camera and $220 for a 65x camera. Let us know what you would like to do. Hope to hear from soon .
Your Soloshot Agent,
Austin

Do I send it in, wasting the shipping cost, knowing that I will likely never get it back? Buying another one is out of the question if they cannot repair it…

[Libby2563]

Ugh that’s really frustrating. They do not sound like a company I would want to work with or trust to resolve my issue, and I totally understand your hesitation. But $30 is not toooooo much more to invest if there’s a chance of fixing the camera, which presumably cost you several hundred. Seems doubtful that you will be able to make it work any other way and if you do nothing, it is totally worthless. For $30 I would probably send it in but not hold my breath, then be pleasantly surprised if it comes back fixed. It’s not so big that shipping should be a lot, right?

I would ask for a timeline though since the email makes it sound like it might be a long, long time and I’d rather know in advance than wonder where it is 2 months from now and discover there’s an 8-month backlog.

[Willesdon]

If their repair service is as poor as their language skills…

[madams747]

My exact thoughts on the English skills…I also feel like sending it in and having them tell me that it cannot be repaired is like giving them a free camera to sell to someone else as a “factory refurbished” once they do the minor tweak that it needs. I trust these people about as far as I can throw an elephant! This is a total bummer and scam